CRG Discussion Forum

Orphans - documentation or VIN-stamped drivetrains - in search of the original cars => 1969 - Orphans => Topic started by: BLee67 on February 19, 2022, 08:21:46 PM

Title: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: BLee67 on February 19, 2022, 08:21:46 PM: I have this shortblock. The block had been sitting in a Houston area machine shop for almost 50 years.
It’s probably a long shot but maybe the car is still around. I have only seen 2 JL code L-78s. Pad is stamped T0212JL
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: bcmiller on February 19, 2022, 11:07:31 PM: It’s ok to listen the full VIN. Without it, the chance of it getting back to the car is near zero.

Is it 9N603691 ?

If so the VIN would be 124379N603691 or 124679N603691

If you would rather not have the full VIN listed, please let us know.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: BLee67 on February 20, 2022, 12:02:08 AM: Unfortunately that's all that I can make out. In all likelihood it is a March or April car, not sure what the first 2 would be.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: bcmiller on February 20, 2022, 12:49:52 AM: Sometimes you can try wiping off with degreaser. Then rub chalk on the area and see if more numbers show up.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: x66 714 on February 20, 2022, 02:57:19 AM: Sometimes you can take a picture with a flash from an angle. The shadows will appear in the numbers & letters....Joe
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: BLee67 on February 20, 2022, 01:55:46 PM: I looked at JM’s book on p.199, VIN range from March to May 69 began with 61 and ended with 64. The VIN in all probability starts with one of those 2 digits, maybe even a 65. I looked on an L-78 registry but didn’t see a car listed with those possible VIN combos. The car may even be long gone or not on any registry.

I’ll try the tips mentioned to try and see the missing digits. I tried to post a picture of the stamp but it was too large.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: bcmiller on February 20, 2022, 05:50:51 PM: Can't really tell much more than 9Nxx3691 from this pic.

Can try rubbing it with chalk then brushing off lightly.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: z28z11 on February 22, 2022, 02:03:12 AM: Going to be hard to tell no matter what - the gang stamp was angled due to the gate or riser where the "9N" started on; the first two in the sequential VIN couldn't quite stretch far enough to contact the block. If you get a better shot of them, please post it -

Steve
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: bergy on February 22, 2022, 01:10:52 PM: That bump is from a core screen :-)
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: BLee67 on April 11, 2022, 05:47:45 PM: I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman who now owns a L-78/auto coupe that has a VIN that is 42 cars before the VIN on the block I have. The VIN on his car is 603649. So mystery solved.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: KurtS on April 14, 2022, 06:01:45 PM: Likely to be 9N603691, but there's no reason it can't be 9N613691.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: DuWayne Ladner on February 04, 2023, 05:35:47 PM: If it is 603 only 884 cars from mine, which starts 604, and my car is 02D built, 4th week of February. X66. Thanks.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: Kelley W King on February 04, 2023, 08:17:06 PM: If the other (1of2) JL block you mentioned it might be mine December 68.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: MO on February 06, 2023, 06:08:08 AM: FWIW, it looks like a 2 before the 3 to me.
Title: Re: 69 L-78 JL 9Nxx3691
Post by: DuWayne Ladner on February 07, 2023, 03:16:30 PM: BLee67, if it’s by chance 603, would it be for sale? But I’m like MO, I think it’s a 2 instead of zero. Thanks.